Land leveler



y M; A. CLARK LAND LEVELER July 13, 194s.

2 sheets-sheet '1 Filed NOV. 15, 1945 ATTORNEYS July 13, 1948. M. A. LARK LANDy LEVELER Filed Nov. l5, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 rf-f /10 (IWI Eni ze so 29 y 7| 21 20 2j zo Il! 14 ./a/ [3 2o Y INVENTOR Mlf'lark f -v Mimi: 3l

ATTORNEYS Patented July 13, 1948 LAND LEVELER Marion A. Clark, Tulare, Calif., assigner, by direct and mesne assignments, to

Gilroy, Calif.

Albert G. Gurries,

y ApplicationvNovember 13, 1945 Serial No. 628,227

l i islciaims.

This invention relates in general to an improved,tractordrawn land leveler of the type known las a drag or finishy leveler, and which comprises an elongated Wheel-supported frame assembly `from which an earth working or scraping blade is suspended intermediate the ends oi said frameassembly.

One object of the present invention is to provide al land leveler of novel construction, and which is operative to `accomplish effective and accurate finish leveling with Ia minimum of adjustment of the blade; the implement being designed so that when the supporting wheels traverse lhumps or'the like, rthere islnot a corresponding upward movement of the blade, but on the contrary the blade remains substantially in' the horizontal cutting plane for which it is set. This is a feature which assures of' accurate leveling operations.I

`Another object of the invention is to provide a land leveler, as in the preceding paragraph, which comprises an elongated front frame section which is wheel-supported at opposite ends and arranged to couple to a tractor,` and an elongated rear frame section wheel supported at its rear end Iand vertically swingably hinged at itsffront end to they front frame section intermediate the ends -of the latter; the earth Working blade being pivotally mounted on the iront frame adjacent its rear wheels, and an adjustable connecting: unit extending between the blade rearwardly of its'pivotal axis, and the rear frame above the bowl. 'By reason of the above hinged arrangement of the frame sections, and particular mounting of the blade, the latter is not responsive in `any substantial Idegree to variation in ground contour as traversed by the implement wheels.

disposed with the bottom thereof in a horizontal Y plane somewhat higher than the bottom of the -A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and 'inexpensive land leveler. and yet -one which will-be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These vobjects Iare :accomplished by means of Asuch structure'fand relative arrangement of parts as 4will fully appear by a perusal ofthe following specification-'and claims.

In the drawings similar characters of reference" engagingA wheels I3.

lof the naar.

tween the rear frame section and the earth working scraper.

Referring now more particularlyl to the chiaracters of reference on'the drawings, the imple-` ment comprises a trussed front frame section,

indicated generally at I, and a trussed rear frame section, indicated generally lat 2. Y

The front frame section I vis of substantial Width, except at itsforwardend portion, where it tapers vforwardly and is vertically swingably hinged,` at transversely spaced points, las at 3', in connection with a draft truck 4, which includes a single caster'wheel' 5, and aA hitch 6 adapted tobe coupled to a tractor `A limit or guide rod 'I extends rearwardly from the dnaft truck 4 and is pivoted at its forward end, asat la, on theA top of the truck-parallel to Ahinge l3. Adjacent its rear end; the rod rides in a slotted plate or saddley 8 mounted on the front frame section l to the rear of saidqdraft truck. The assembly of limit rod l and saddle 8 'allows relative swinging orghinging of the forward end of the front frame'section and truck and relieves hinge 3 of lateral strains. l n l The" rear frame section 2 tapers rearwardly in plan and at the back end is supported by a single caster Wheel 9. Such rearv frame section2 is fname of the front 'iframe section I. Said upstanding transverse center frame is shown in detail in Fig. 3 and includes upper and lowercross bars Il connected together adjacent the ends by vertical, transversely,spaced-posts l2. The hinges I0 are Xed in connection with and extend bel tween the vertical The front frame section I is supported at its rear end and beneaththe rear fname section 2v by'means of :a pair of transverselyV spaced,ground An earth working or scraping bladev I4, of

heavy-duty construction and of substantial Width,

extends' transversely of the implement adjacent' and directly ahead of the rear Wheelsoffl the front Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentaryfsectional eleuation on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

'frame section I;said blade including forwardly projecting side wings I5 pivoted at their front yposts lI 2 intermediate the ends pear in detail, for the purpose of setting the cuti I ting depth of said blade I 4.

The adjustable connecting unit I9 comprises a pair of upstanding parallel linksl-Zr-pivotally ycon-.Jy

nected between the upper edge'iportonof the blade I4 and a cross shaft 2 I. A transversely eX- tending A-frame 22 is likewisepivotedin .Connery-- tion with said cross shaft 2I and extends upwardly thereabout; there being an adjustabletie bolt 23 which connects the upper end of said A- frame22.with a rocking. head 24,*having; opposed trunnions carried in.bearings25:lsupportedV byV transversely spaced, facingj discs 26.-. The, spaced discs 26 are supported in the rear frame section 2 substantially centrallyof the ends -of theflatter, andsorne distance aboveV itsrbottom,` by suitable brace members 21.

A uid .pressure actuated power cylinder `28 of` double acting type is mounted in the. rear frame sectionZ directly to the,- rear of the cross shaft 2l, and saidpower. cylinder 23 includes a for-- wardly projecting-piston rod 29-pivotally connected with the cross shaftZI intermediateits ends.y The power cylinder- 28 iscontrolled from thetractor and by the operator thereof throughl the, medium of f a-,valve regulatediiuid pressure system, shownin part atf30,

Withoperation of. thepower cylinder 28 the links 20,. and transverse A-trame'f22fmay be actuated, as a. toggle. link` assembly, to control and set theivertical working position of the-blade IIL` In Figure 4 the. rod 29 of the cylinder 28 is.

shown in retracted .postiont with the linksV 2U. and

Aeframe`i22 vertically .alined,l and at Y which .time

the bladeQ I4 is in itslowermost :position of adjustment. above'descrbed connectingv unit, the head 24 rocks about the, axis4 of its trunnons, as carriedin the` bearings 25.

VAt theback and adjacent 'opposite ends thereof: the.. blade I4 is fitted with tubular, transversely, extending and horizontal, land, shoes` 3l p ivotally,`

mounted, asshown, for `vertical adjustment; such adjustment being accomplished throught the I mediumof an adjustable link 32 associatedI with each shoeI.- The shoes are adjustedl so thatA when theblade I4 is in digging. position,y saidshoes ride p the. ground to. prevent the bladefrom jumping or.

chattering. In this manner the blade 1 cuts smoothly at all times.,

By reason of` the embodiment inA the implement otseparate front and rear frame sections lappedvv sultsin a-minimum ,of variaticnin, the working.`

position of the blade I4. vAs the blade` I 4 is linked to the center of the rear framesection 2 bytheconnectingaunit I9, and.`

With buckling or toggle actionof the 4 ment of said front frame section resulting from the traversing of uneven ground cannot cause any great variation in the working `position of the blade I4.

The described implement is very eilicient and practical in operation and can be moved to draw a Very fine or accurate level on a given area of ground.

Fromthefforegoing description itwill be lreadily seen that there has been produced-suona'device as substantially fullls the objects of the inveni tion as set forth herein.

appended-claims.

' 'Having thus described the invention, the followingi-issclaimed as new and useful and upon which Letters Patent aredesired:

l." A\ land leveler comprising -an=.e1ongated, wheel-supported front iframe section, an elongated: rear frame section, saidy frame sections' lappingttoa a substantial extent at adjacentl ends,v means., relativelyl vertically. swingablyhlinging-.xthev rearf; frame section -at itsfront endvtofthevfront frame section, a wheel supporting tl'rev'rearframer section at its rear end; atransversescraper blade vertically swingabltr mounted iniconnectionzwith the front .frame sectionrearwardlyv of the fronti.: end ofthe rear frame Ssection, and anfupst-andingf, connecting unit extending between the bladerandff the portion of the lreanframe section. thereabove.

2.A A land levelery comprising, an elongatedy" wheel-supported*front`A frame section, an clon-w gated `rea-r .frame section-f said framel'sectionslalI-i .i

. frame section, a-wheelsupportinggthefrear'fframe section at Iits rear end., a transverse scraper blade verticallyswingably mounted inconnection with@ thefront framesection-:rearwardly of `th'ei'front.v

end ofthe rear frame.section,- andian upstanding connecting; unit Vextending. betweenV thev blade and' f the portion oi therear framesection thereabove; a the front .frame section being supportednfatits'C forwardend by avsingle wheel;` and supportedat' its` rear; end by a pairy ot transverselyyspaced.-

wheels.

3. A land leveler ycomprising an. elongated. wheel-supported front frame' section; 'an elem gated rear-.frame section, said framesections lape pingto =a substantial fextentfatf adjacent ends,

` means relativelyvertically swingably hingin'gfthev4 rear frame. sectionatrits front tendfftofthe ffrontu.

frame, section, .a wheel-supporting therear framesection at its rear end, a transverse scraper Lblade` vertically ,swingably mounted in'` connection .with the .front frame-section rearwardly offtheufront end of therear frametsectiom-and anupstanding.r connecting unit eXtendingbetweenthe bladexand" the portion ofthe `rear-frame sectionfthereabove, the wheel support v,for the.y front frame-section inL y cluding aiwheelf-mounted drafttruck hingedffonas theforward endof lsaid. rear frame ,section is v hinged tothe front frame section substantially and supporting the front frame ysection-:at 'rts1f`or; ward end.A

Awland .leveleras in clai-mwwithy meansV between the. front frame, section I andvther vdraft truck to relieve the hinge means of the latten' of side strainsA while. -allowingaot frelativeiihinging movement Ain ayertical planer...v

5. A land leveler comprising anelongatedm wheelmsupportedfront frame sectiontan elongated rear frame section, said frame sections lapping to a substantial extent at adjacent ends, means relatively vertically swingably hinging the rear frame section at its front end to the front frame section, a wheel supporting the rear frame section at its rear end, a transverse scraper blade vertically swingably mounted in connection with the front frame section rearwardly of the front end of the rear frame section, and an upstanding connecting unit extending between th'e blade and the portion of the rear frame section thereabove; said connecting unit including vertically extending members pivoted together as a toggle assembly, ai l power means operatively connected to said toggle assembly.

6. A land leveler comprising an elongated, wheel-supported front frame section, an elongated rear frame section, said frame sections lapping to a substantial extent at adjacent ends, means relatively vertically swingably hinging the rear frame section at its front end to the front frame section, a wheel supporting the rear frame section at its rear end, a transverse scraper blade vertically swingably mounted in connection with the front frame section rearwardly of the front end of the rear frame section, and an upstanding connecting unit extending between the blade and the portion of the rear frame section thereabove; said connecting unit including vertically extending members pivoted together as a toggle assembly, and power means operatively connected to said toggle assembly, said power means being a double acting, fluid pressure actuating power cylinder.

7. A land leveler comprising an elongated, Wheel-supported front frame section, an elongated rear frame section, said frame sections lapping to a substantial extent at adjacent ends, means relatively vertically swingably hinging the rear frame section at its front end to the front frame section, a wheel supporting the rear frame section at its rear end, a transverse scraper blade vertically swingably mounted in connection with the front frame section rearwardly of the front end of the rear frame section, and an upstanding connecting unit extending between the blade and the portion of the rear frame section thereabove; said connecting unit comprising longitudinally swingable links pivoted on and upstanding from the blade in spaced relation, a cross shaft to which the upper ends of the links are pivoted, a transverse A-frame pivoted on and upstanding from the cross shaft, means swingably attaching the A-frame at the top of said rear frame seotion, a double acting power cylinder mounted 1ongitudinally in the rear frame section and operatively connected to the toggle assembly formed by the links and A-frame.

8. A land leveler comprising an elongated Wheel-supported front frame section, an elongated rear frame section lapping the front frame section to substantially the center thereof, means hinging the forward end of the rear frame section to the front frame section for relative vertical swinging, the rear frame section being wheelsupported adjacent its rear end, a transverse scraper blade pivoted on the front frame section adjacent its rear end, and a pivotally mounted connecting unit extending between the blade in longitudinally offset relation to its axis, and the portion of the rear frame section thereabove.

9. A land leveler comprising an elongated wheel-supported front frame section, an elongated rear frame section lapping the front frame section to substantially the center thereof, means hinging the forward end of the rear frame section to the front frame section for relative vertical swinging, the rear frame section being wheelsupported adjacent its rear end, a transverse scraper blade pivoted on the front frame section adjacent its rear end, and a pivotally mounted connecting unit extending between the blade in longitudinally offset relation to its axis, and the portion of the rear frame section thereabove; said connecting unit being vertically adjustable.

10. A land leveler as in claim 8 in which the blade is fitted at the rear and adjacent its end with vertically adjustable ground engaging shoes.

11. A land leveler comprising a draft truck adapted to hitch to a tractor, an elongated front frame section relatively vertically swingably hinged at the forward end tothe draft truck, an elongated rear frame section relatively vertically swingably hinged to the front frame section intermediate the ends of the latter, wheels supporting said frame sections adjacent the rear ends thereof, and a transverse scraper blade unit mounted on and depending from the front frame section adjacent its rear end; the blade being pivotally mounted, and a connecting unit extending between said blade and the portion of the rear frame section thereabove.

12. A land leveler comprising an elongated frame structure including a front frame section and a rear frame section, means pivotally connecting said sections together for relative vertical motion, wheel means supporting said sections adjacent opposite ends thereof, means adapted to hitch the frame structure at its forward end to a tractor, a transversely spaced pair of wheels supporting the frame structure intermediate its ends, and a transverse scraper blade unit mounted in connection with said frame structure adjacent said pair of wheels, said unit being adjustably suspended from the rear frame section and pivotally connected with the front frame section.

13. A land leveler comprising an elongated frame structure including a front frame section and a rear frame section, means pivotally connecting said sections together `for relative vertical motion, wheel means supporting said sections adjacent opposite ends thereof and at an intermediate point between said ends, means adapted to hitch the frame structure at its forward end to a tractor, a transverse scraper blade unit disposed between the wheel means at one end and such intermediate wheel means, means pivoting the scraper blade unit on one frame section, control means for the scraper blade unit, and means connesting the control means between the other frame section and said scraper blade unit.

MARION A. CLARK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,220,379 Throop Mar. 2'7, 1917 1,435,575 Adams Nov. 14, 1922 2,124,625 Marvin July 26, 1938 2,333,988 Demond Nov. 9, 1943 

